Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-14
Developments Made I'm the
Board OF Works.

FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PIPE PAID FOR
THAT CANNOT BE FoUSD-AN AVERAGE OF FORTY
ONE POUNDS OF LEAD BOUGHT FOR EVERY JOINT In
THE CITY.
The looked-for report OF J. Walden, the expert
accountant, who has been examining the books OF
the board Of public works of Jersey City, was sub
mitted last night to the board Of finance and tax
alton The n Y. Sun says: 1t confirmed the ru-
mors that shortage had been discovered. The
report covers the workings of the board from 1881
to 1886, inclusive. The board Of works is the most
important branch OF the city government II has
charge OF the water works, streets, and sewers
and all public improvements The water rents,
which are paid through the board, amount
to something like 100000. The board Is
composed OF six members, who are elected
Dy districts for terms Of two years each.
and 00a three repubhcsns After
deadlock OF over four months Commissioners VIM.
Kern and Thomas Reynolds, democrats, and Com
mlSsloners Pearl c. Hilliard and James Watt, re-
Publicans, formed a combination. commissioners
benjamin Van Keuren, republican, and Charles j.
Somers, democrat, were ignored entirely by the
combination. Men who had been given places
through the votes Of Commissioners Van Keuren
ana Somers were removed and men whom the
The favored Were put IN sneir places
most every question that comes up before the
BOARD Is four to two. 1t has long been suspected
board.
The books show that all the moneys collected for
water rents have been turned over to the city
treasurer, as required by law, but discrepancies
nave been discovered In the department OF eXten-
sons and distribution, which has charge OF the
laying OF water-pipe. According to the report the
city purchased from 1891 to 1886 aggregate OF
9OO13 nneal feet OF pipe. The books OF the chief
engineer show that In these years only n 731 feet
OF pipe were laid. The other 25,2S2 feet are not
accounted for by the books. The expert says: $50
far as purchases are concerned, no doubt whatever
exists that they have been paid for by the city,
the abstract Is taken from the bills themselves
Which agree with the W lrrant5 drawn from them"
The report goes on to show that the shortages
exist in pipe branches and fire hydrants similar
10 that In pines. comparison OF the cost OF p pc
feet were laid, at cost Of $317 per foot; 70 1886
"a 230 feet were Laid at cost OF s1.O4 per foot.
THIS record, however, was ecipsed In 1855. when
foot YaSen The ao n ~
used In plpe-iaying should not exceed one and a
half pounds per inch diameter per joint. The
pSTnds on sad ss sno dS
that Al pounds OF lead required for each joint
OF pipe The pay rolls for pipe-laying are said to
9e excessive, and their payment has been SO
delayed as to give rise to question Of their cor
rectness The whole organization of the offices Of
the board, the expert says is very faulty. Mr..
searching Investigation Of the facts he has pointed
out. Mr.. Walden says that the deficiencies In the
pipe account as reported are between 1885, 900 and
$4,000; The water works have not yet been in
counts II rumors are true the deficiency will be
greatly increased before the experts work is I'm
tshed-
The facts contained in the report were iaid be-
fore the Hudson County grand jury yesterday.
President Edelstein, Of the board OF finance, who
ordered the Investigation, is foreman OF the jury
and Board OF Works Commissioner Somers IS one
or Its members. Finance Commissioner Warren
asserted after the report had been read that he
had positive Information that pipe purchased by
the city had been taken from the pipe yard and
sold.